I won't be an early adopter, but I have to agree that it does look intriguing.

_________________We live in an amazing, amazing world, and it's wasted on the crappiest generation of spoiled idiots. -- Louis CK

We are going to have to stick a pin in a map, set fire to something and carry on until the earth looks flat! -- RandyMac

I could teach you to how file a washer to make it worth a nickel but if you really want to make big bucks just take a penny and drill a hole in it and it becomes a washer and is worth a dime. -- Art Martin, Old-Time Logger

It just so happens that I'm in the market for a new phone. I've looked at a few-----been leaning toward SAMSUNG--and gained just enough knowledge to have some comments and questions.

Comments:

First of all, if you think Intel and Microsoft are evil, just remember that the only reason they exist and operate on the scale that they do is that Apple is even more evil. Apple has consistently been the first to jump on the Let's Fuck the Dumb Consumers bandwagon, and they're as bad as Sony when it comes to proprietary formats. The i-tunes Call the Mothership and Check Your Password policy when it comes to software purchased in the i-tunes store, and the very existence of the AAC format are two reasons I never bought an ipod--despite my awareness that both problems are easily avoidable.

Now that I've been exposed to rumors that the next version of Windows Media Player will automatically search your harddrive for files it believes to be illegal and corrupt them makes me even more leary of dealing with Apple. Say what? You heard me. Apple doesn't like being in second place in the evil department, and they'll be quick to incorporate similar techniques. I'm afraid of having both i-tunes and Windows Media Player on my computer.

I hate the letter i in front of everything. It's too fucking cute. I hate it as much as the My in front of all the standard folders in the world of Windows OS.

Now--a little more on topic--I wonder at the practicality of the i-phone. So... questions:

The first issue that comes to mind is battery life. If I use this as my portable music player and my phone, will my phone be in constant need of a charge?

How easy will it be to use as a phone?

How often will it do something I don't want it to do because I bumped it in my pocket?

How strong is the bluetooth signal? I've seen new Samsung and Motorola phones brag about 100M radius bluetooth operability--and I want that.

How much will the whole kit and kaboodle run me? --i.e. 8GB i-phone, bluetooth headphones (for music--I've already got a decent headset for phone conversations), USB 2.0 to whatever-you-call-the-connection-port-on-ipods cable, car charger, car stereo adapter, two AC chargers, protective case that flips open and shut to protect the screen and prevent inadvertant operation when it's in my pocket, plastic disposable screen protectors to protect the screen when I'm using it, styluses (if necessary), a legal copy of i-tunes, and I think that's about it. I think I'd need all of the above to make it worthwhile.

What GSM frequencies will it support (850MHz/900MHz/1800MHz/1900MHz)?

Most importantly, will I be able to get it unlocked and compatible with my SIM card?

Finally, yeah, it does look cool. I do kinda want one.

Edit: I re-read the link more thoroughly, and I have the answer to my last question: No I can't get it unlocked (Apple is evil afterall) and yes, it's compatible with my Cingular service, since it's exclusive to Cingular. That makes it harder. I don't want to agree to two more years of service. I like being contract-free. I don't think it's ever possible to be happy with a cellphone company, but Cingular's been mostly okay with me. Oh, they've pissed me off a few times, but they're not as bad as Verizon (with whom I refuse to do business) or Sprint. I'll have to think a little longer before I get a new phone, which sucks, because the one I have now has suffered the consequances of being in my pocket at work, and is practically useless without the bluetooth headset._________________"Morals are customs rather than natural law." --Robert A. Heinlein

Last edited by ashlad on Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

Wow, finally a cell phone that I want. I have been holding out on getting a new one for a long time simply because there is nothing "new" out there.

To bad the price tag is so high. Plus a two year contract? No thanks...for now._________________The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. - Albert Einstein
"Raccoons oscillate at 50Hz in Europe." - FAWBOTS
"I'm not sure I'm up for orgy scrabble parties" - Female Friend

After watching a bit of the keynote I see that it uses iTunes to sync. That's a huge minus in my book.

I hope to never in my life have iTunes installed.

My personal major issue with the ipod, aside from DRM, is the durability. The ipod has turned into disposable technology much like cell phones.

I know so many people who get a new phone every year because, "My last one was a piece of shit". Similarly I know people who have had 3, 4, or 5 iPods because they always break, or "My last one kept acting up"

As an aside, I hadn't heard about Media Player searching for illegal files, and I don't think I buy it until I see it. Aside from that I agree with Ashlad on most points

I'll be interested to see the iPhone when it comes out.

Some answers:
500 and 600 bucks is the going rate for the 4 and 8 gig versions.

I'd assume it comes with many of the things you listed, but you'll probably need the bluetooth headset, and chargers seperately.

No stylus(It uses a finger touch screen). Not sure how that effects screen protectors, but it raises some intersting questions.

It has a proximity sensor to turn off the touch screen, and a switch so I'd guess unwanted bumps shouldn't be a big issue. Unwanted bumps aren't much of an issue with my Pocket PC phone.

I'll personally wait to see, and then wait for the EDVO version. EDGE is equivilant to double the speed of dial up where EDVO is closer to DSL. My current year old phone has EDVO, and is much much better.

I actually think the enV will be my next phone. With a two year contract (yuck!) it is only $150.00_________________The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. - Albert Einstein
"Raccoons oscillate at 50Hz in Europe." - FAWBOTS
"I'm not sure I'm up for orgy scrabble parties" - Female Friend

The thing I like most about the enV is that it is made by LG. I've never owned a phone by them that I wasn't happy with. For that matter I've always been really impressed with all of their products. If I had known that they made laptop computers before I bought my last one I would have bought that from them too._________________The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. - Albert Einstein
"Raccoons oscillate at 50Hz in Europe." - FAWBOTS
"I'm not sure I'm up for orgy scrabble parties" - Female Friend

I'll personally wait to see, and then wait for the EDVO version. EDGE is equivilant to double the speed of dial up where EDVO is closer to DSL. My current year old phone has EDVO, and is much much better.

One thing they didn't mention about it is if the U.S. model will work anywhere in the world. That is actually the reason I have my current cell phone, because I could use it from the ship overseas anytime we got close enough to land._________________The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. - Albert Einstein
"Raccoons oscillate at 50Hz in Europe." - FAWBOTS
"I'm not sure I'm up for orgy scrabble parties" - Female Friend

The thing I like most about the enV is that it is made by LG. I've never owned a phone by them that I wasn't happy with.

Odd, 'Hatte and I have each had an LG phone, the same one in fact, and both come away equating LG with cheap crap. The LG name has been a deal-breaker with me for a while._________________"Morals are customs rather than natural law." --Robert A. Heinlein

My current one has that too... at least it has b. I'm not sure if it has g or not. I don't think I've ever turned it on.

At one point in time I had my home computer/tivo/phone all set up so that they could talk over the net. My idea was...

You don't need a HD or space on your phone/pda, you just need bandwidth. I could surf my pictures, movies, music, and tv shows all from my phone and wirelessly stream them.

The TV/Video was sketchy at times, but everything else worked out moderately well. It just took me a while to realize that I had no use for that stuff... oh well. It was a "Wow" factor when I'd bust out my phone and tell someone, "Pick a movie... Batman? Okay, wait 5 seconds" and boom there it was.

Well LG does have the one issue that their products have shown a vulnerable to extreme gravitational fluxes so that could have been part of your problem.

Remember when shopping for items that may be used around "The Head" ensure that they are labeled "AFUAGH" (Approved For Use Around Giant Head)_________________The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. - Albert Einstein
"Raccoons oscillate at 50Hz in Europe." - FAWBOTS
"I'm not sure I'm up for orgy scrabble parties" - Female Friend

I'd assume it comes with many of the things you listed, but you'll probably need the bluetooth headset, and chargers seperately.

I'd gleaned that much from the article--I do try to complete the required reading before posting--but only time and actual consumer reviews will answer that question properly. It was more or less food for thought.

I've got the headset, but after everything else, it'd be looking like $800+ and a two year contract, or $1100+ without the contract--which is silly anyway since it'll only work with Cingular until they make an unlocked model available. The thing about phones with a sponsoring service provider's name on 'em is that not only will they only work with that provider, but if you get 'em without the contract, they cost more than an unlocked phone, even without a new SIM card. I don't feel like paying bitch tax to make the phone less useful.

Quote:

No stylus(It uses a finger touch screen). Not sure how that effects screen protectors, but it raises some intersting questions.

It has a proximity sensor to turn off the touch screen, and a switch so I'd guess unwanted bumps shouldn't be a big issue. Unwanted bumps aren't much of an issue with my Pocket PC phone.

I think that's more wait and see. I'm more inclined to believe in the efficacy of the proximity sensors than the efficiency of the touchscreen without a stylus. On the other hand, I wonder how often the proximity sensor will make itself annoying when you're trying to operate the thing.

Quote:

I'll personally wait to see, and then wait for the EDVO version. EDGE is equivilant to double the speed of dial up where EDVO is closer to DSL. My current year old phone has EDVO, and is much much better.

Methinks that with the first availability of the phone being in June, I may as well pick up the Samsung and wait on the i-phone until it's available unlocked with the kinks worked out--EDVO and all that jazz--and the price lowered a tad (by lowered I mean $600 unlocked without a contract rather than $600 proprietary with a contract)._________________"Morals are customs rather than natural law." --Robert A. Heinlein

Last edited by ashlad on Wed Jan 10, 2007 1:55 pm; edited 1 time in total

_________________The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honorable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. - Albert Einstein
"Raccoons oscillate at 50Hz in Europe." - FAWBOTS
"I'm not sure I'm up for orgy scrabble parties" - Female Friend

I'm definitely waiting for things to mature and cheapen, but I must say that Apple isn't known for releasing products that frustrate users. It's part of their brand to not do that. The touchscreen will work._________________You are the result of 4 billion years of evolutionary success.

Fucking act like it.

"The stars died so that you could be here today" - Lawrence Krauss

"The universe is huge and old, and rare things happen all the time." - Lawrence Krauss

But it is there thing to charge a premium and $600 AND a two year contract is ridiculous. It will not entice Treo or Blackberry users to switch unless they are hardcore Apple fans. I would not expect them to sell many phones at that price. The hardcore apple fans will buy them but I do not see how they could continue the product past this year at that price. It need to go down to atleast $299 with a 2 year contract.

If it was not a phone and just a PDA/Internet/Ipod/Video player and not even have the phone features, it would interest me more even at the 599$ price.